Projecting Algerian Judaism, Formulating a Political Identity: Zionism in Algeria during the War of Independence (1954–62)

Abstract

The traditional historiography about Algerian Jewish history usually contends that, given the low immigration of Algerian Jews to Israel, the role of Zionism and Zionist activities in Algeria was negligible. By narrowly focusing on Algerian Jews' immigration and attachment to France, this body of literature has obscured the complex relationship among Algerian Jews, Zionism, Israel, and the French colonial state during the particularly tumultuous period of the Algerian war of independence (1954–62). This essay shows that, contrary to the general wisdom of traditional narratives, there was a significant Zionist influence in Algeria. It further aspires to open up new horizons in Algerian Jewish history and in approaches to comprehending the construction of Algerian Jews' political subjectivities.